Escondido Man Gets Term of 30 Years for Drug Role

An Escondido man was sentenced Monday to 30 years in federal prison for his involvement in a major methamphetamine operation, despite a plea from his attorney that the group’s ringleader only received a 24-year sentence.

The long sentence was given to Salvador Suazo Sosa, 27, who was convicted by a jury Aug. 21 of three methamphetamine charges.

Suazo’s attorney, Ezekiel Cortez, told visiting U.S. District Judge Alfredo Marquez that the 24-year term given to the “main ringleader” William Prue, 39, of Escondido, was “disproportionate” to Suazo’s 30-year sentence.

Suazo was “the lowest one on the totem pole,” said Cortez.

The judge and the prosecutor noted that Suazo had previous convictions, while Prue had none, and that the higher sentence is a result of figuring in those other cases under federal sentencing guidelines.

Prue was sentenced by Judge Gordon Thompson on Dec. 9, in a case involving indictments by a federal grand jury against 12 people in Escondido and San Marcos last April.

According to court records, Suazo had several previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was also convicted of carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and unlawful entry into the country.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Laura Birkmeyer disputed Cortez’s assessment of his client’s role in the operation, saying Suazo was “a pretty major figure.” She urged Marquez to impose the 30-year term.

Suazo was convicted of conspiracy charges involving the possession, manufacturing, and distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a necessary chemical to make the drug.